Too much stress on joints can tear and inflame tendons, says the American College of Rheumatology. The tissue will repair itself quickly if the damage is slight or happens only occasionally. But the pain can become constant if the damage happens often.

Weekend athletes recognize that tendonitis is a common result of overdoing it especially when the body is out of shape.

Other factors contribute to tendonitis:

Forceful or violent motions, such as pitching a fastball

Unnatural motions, like serving a tennis ball

Poor body mechanics or technique when doing an activity like aerobics, lifting weights, or painting the ceiling

Usually, several of these factors may be involved at once.

Is it tendonitis?

Chronic tendonitis is a dull but constant soreness that feels worse when you first start to move, then eases up as muscles get warmer.

Acute tendonitis is a sharper pain that may keep you from moving the joint. The pain eventually goes away, but it's likely to return if the stressful motion is repeated.

Treating tendonitis

See your healthcare provider if you think you have tendonitis. Your provider may recommend the classic RICE treatment for pain relief: Rest the joint; apply ice packs; compress the area with an elastic bandage to reduce soreness and inflammation; and keep the joint elevated.

Your healthcare provider may recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen, which may also help sore soft tissue.

If your healthcare provider gives you the OK, begin exercising to strengthen the muscles around the sore joint within a day or two. Start with a long warm-up to reduce shock to the tissues, then try lifting light weights or working with an elastic exercise band. Go easy at first, then build as your strength increases. Stretching is also an important part of treatment. Hold each stretch for 10 to 20 seconds and repeat 3 to 5 times.

Preventing tendonitis

A prevention program should replace bad habits with these methods that promote a healthy workout:

Warm up thoroughly, gradually building the intensity level of your workout. Cool down after the session.

Train for a new sport before you start it. Start building strength and flexibility in the muscles you will use a few weeks or months in advance.

Learn the proper method and use the proper equipment for any exercise or activity. Work out regularly, not just once a week.